Gladys Knight and three more shows to see in Philly this weekend

Gladys Knight and three more shows to see in Philly this weekend
Noble Visions Photography

1. Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

Friday, 7 p.m.

World Cafe Live

3025 Walnut St.

$12-$15, 215-222-1400

www.worldcafelive.com

Some serious rock, blues, jazz and high-energy vocals combine in this gem of a group formed by singer and songwriter Arleigh Kincheloe in 2008. Typical guitar, bass and drums meet harmonica, trumpet, saxophone and of course Kincheloe’s soaring voice to make passionate, soulful songs that instantly grab you.

2.Gladys Knight and the O’Jays

Friday, 8 p.m.

Academy of Music

240 S. Broad St.

$65-$125, 215-893-1999

www.kimmelcenter.org

The Empress of Soul graces Philly, bringing back those 1960s and ’70s Motown hits we know and love. She performs with fellow musical legends, the O’Jays.

3.AlbertHammond Jr.

RELATED: Albert Hammond Jr gets introspective on ‘Momentary Masters’

Saturday, 8 p.m.

First Unitarian Church

2125 Chestnut St.

$15, 215-563-3980

www.philauu.org

Though Albert Hammond Jr. has a gig playing keyboard and guitar for The Strokes, he’s been making his own albums since 2006. His sound is bluesy, rocky and electric.The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, John Lennon and the Velvet Underground are a few musicians who have influenced his songwriting.

4.ArturoSandoval and Poncho Sanchez

Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

Merriam Theater

$30 to $85, 215-893-1999

www.kimmelcenter.org

Latin jazz legends Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez are teaming up for a one-night-only show, part of the Kimmel’s Philly En Vivo series. Sandoval, a protege of Dizzy Gillespie, has racked up 10 Grammys; Sanchez has been blending jazz and soul, influenced by Gillespie’s sounds, for more than 30 years.